Me too, DD. Primarily an English rider, so have always used continuous reins. Don't see any advantage to split, to be honest.

Not talking about beginners here, but I see split reins as highly advantageous when out on the trails. If your horse spooks or falls, and causes the rider to fall off, while you are laying on the ground, the split reins are long enough that you are able to hang onto one of them so that your horse can't get away and run home without you .... and leave you to walk.

Continuous reins don't give you as much "line" to hang onto if need be.

That's why I prefer split reins.

Depending on what you do with your horse, if you don't ride out on the trails (miles from home) then there isn't much need for split reins. But to each his own.

Me too, DD. Primarily an English rider, so have always used continuous reins. Don't see any advantage to split, to be honest.

There are plenty of advantages for split reins.

There's been multiple occasions where I have untied a split rein, tied my other rein to be a continuous rein and used my other rein to pony another riders horse down the trail.

When stopping for a break I've used a rein to tie into makeshift hobbles while leaving one for a lead rope.

On one ride I was riding with a novice rider with cheap equipment. Her bridle broke miles out from the barn. I handed her my bridle and used my reins for a gag bridle and reins.

Training wise, I love them. Good split reins have a lot of feel to them. My horses are soft enough that I can raise my hand a couple inches off my horses neck and that different feel will mean something. I've never rode in roping reins with the same feel.

On a green horse they are incredibly useful. If I don't have a horse that stands for mounting, I can use the rein to do groundwork. I can also use them for extra desensitizing. They're also great to use for forward.

I primarily ride English. So I love my continuous reins, but for when I throw my western saddle on my horse I love my mcarte reins. Nice and long, can hold them however I want or let them drape over Stitch's neck. It also has the handy lead rope part thingy that I can either have around my saddle horn, or tucked into my belt loop.Posted via Mobile Device

I have never been coordinated enough for split reins. I never know what to do with them, they constantly need adjusting and I drop them. I have a very nice pair that I was given as a Christmas gift and I've given up and am currently in the process of riveting them together to make one 10 foot continuous rein.

I'm going to go with the unpopular opinion and say that if you are comfortable using split reins, and that's what you're already using, why not stick with it? Everybody has their preferences, but at the end of the day, do what you're comfortable with. Try 'loop' reins, and if you prefer the way they feel, switch. If you're more comfortable with split reins, keep them.

Not talking about beginners here, but I see split reins as highly advantageous when out on the trails. If your horse spooks or falls, and causes the rider to fall off, while you are laying on the ground, the split reins are long enough that you are able to hang onto one of them so that your horse can't get away and run home without you .... and leave you to walk.
Continuous reins don't give you as much "line" to hang onto if need be.
That's why I prefer split reins.
Depending on what you do with your horse, if you don't ride out on the trails (miles from home) then there isn't much need for split reins. But to each his own.

My experiences as a newbie: I would prefer splits for those reasons... but I have very busy hands. Not horse face bothering hands, but I can't stop messing with splits and my horse very much loves to take advantage of me
For this.
As for length- I *totally* agree- regular roping reins are a joke! I didn't realize how insanely short they are, and my horse is nearly a pony, and rather short necked, and they still are too short to hold comfortable for my horse and I.
You can find continuous reins longer, or have them made for not much money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atomicodyssey

I prefer using split reins, but on a relaxed well trained horse.
My current horse doesn't quite have the jist of neck reining, I use 10' trail reins for him. I hate roper reins, they are far too short. These are plenty long to treat as split and allow a nice drape.

THIS ^^^ I HATE the length of ropers! As a newbie, I didn't realize how much shorter they were... tell me how I know?! At least the reins I bought weren't much, and make a good dog leash on trails lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinaev

I have never been coordinated enough for split reins. I never know what to do with them, they constantly need adjusting and I drop them. I have a very nice pair that I was given as a Christmas gift and I've given up and am currently in the process of riveting them together to make one 10 foot continuous rein.

Exactly!! Just like I mentioned before- I fiddle too much as well, even when they are tied together. Very good idea to combine them into one.. crafty!

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquineObsessed

I'm going to go with the unpopular opinion and say that if you are comfortable using split reins, and that's what you're already using, why not stick with it? Everybody has their preferences, but at the end of the day, do what you're comfortable with. Try 'loop' reins, and if you prefer the way they feel, switch. If you're more comfortable with split reins, keep them.

I do agree with this as well. If you like them, keep them. But maybe as a newbie, you might want to *try* some longer single piece reins to see. I, too, thought I only wanted splits, as that is what I took lessons in. But then I tried by DH's single English reins (he doesn't like the so much rein factor of splits as well), and loved that I had better control. This control I know is in part my mental control of myself- I am not fiddling.
Neck reining... I am sure it does take away from learning it... but I got some 9ft paracord loop reins made, and rode with them the 1st time yesterday, and I think she *loved* them. They were very lightweight, and I think she appreciated that lack of weight hanging on her face. They also had a couple of built in knots, and they made perfect visual or physical reminders for my hand placement. Reminders I hardly had to think about. That was *very* nice, as it let me work on my other cues and not have to think about my hands. I was practicing our neck reining with it as well, and she still seemed to understand, though as light as they are, it might take a bit more leg and me practicing for a bit more as well.

Anyhoo, sorry so long, just my 2 cents as a newbie on all those wonderfully helpful comments HF is known for. :) (not sarcasm, I love this site!) :)

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